A STUDY TO COMPARE THE EFFECTS OF MOTOR RELEARNING PROGRAM VERSUS ISOMETRIC STRENGTHENING EXERCISE PROGRAM IN IMPROVING UPPER LIMB FUNCTION FOLLOWING ACUTE HEMIPARETIC STROKE

Manjula S.*, Dr. P. Senthil Selvam and S. Ashfak Abdul Kader

ABSTRACT

Aim: To compare the effects of motor relearning program Vs. isometric strengthening exercise program in improving upper limb function following acute hemiparetic stroke. Objective:  To assess the effects of motor relearning program on upper limb function in acute hemiparetic stroke patients.  To assess the effects of isometric exercises on upper limb function in acute hemiparetic stroke patients.  To compare the effects of motor relearning program with isometric exercises on upper limb function in acute hemiparetic stroke patients. Research design:  Study design: Comparative study  Study type: experimental type  Sampling method: simple random sampling  Total Sample size: 20  Group A: 10 motor relearning program  Group B: 10 isometric strengthening exercise  Duration: 6 weeks Procedure: subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A received motor relearning program and Group B received isometric strengthening exercise. Both the groups were trained for one hour / day for five days a week in a six week program. Pre-test and post-test measurements was done with the Fugl – Meyer assessment scale. Result: Result would reveal that the group A which received Motor relearning program showed significant improvement in comparison to group B that received isometric exercises. Conclusion: Thus it is concluded that the motor relearning program is more significant than isometric strengthening exercise program in improving upper limb functions following an acute hemiparetic stroke.

Keywords: motor relearning program, isometric exercise, hemiparetic stroke, Haemorrhage, ischemia, Fugl-Meyer assessment.